Japanese Bobtail Cats | Cat Breeds | IAMS Description Description: Japanese Bobtails are living works of art with their sculptured bodies, short pert tails, alert ears, and large window-on-the-soul eyes. The breed’s general balance is of utmost importance; neither too much nor too little consideration is given to any particular feature. Medium-sized with clean lines and bone structure, the Japanese Bobtail is well-muscled but straight and slender rather than massive in build. The body is long, lean, and elegant, and shows well-developed muscular strength without coarseness. It’s neither tubular like the Siamese nor cobby like the Persian. The legs are long and slender but not dainty or fragile in appearance, ending in oval paws. The hind legs are noticeably longer than the forelegs, but deeply angulated when the cat is standing relaxed so the torso remains nearly level. Adult males weigh 7 to 10 pounds; adult females weigh 5 to 7 pounds. Although the head appears long and finely chiseled, it forms an almost perfect equilateral triangle with gentle curving lines, high cheekbones, and a noticeable whisker break.

The muzzle is fairly broad and neither pointed nor blunt, and the chin is full. The nose is long and well-defined, with a gentle dip at or just below eye level. The ears are large, upright, expressive, and set wide apart but at right angles to the head, rather than flaring outward. In repose, they give the impression of being tilted forward. The eyes are large, oval, wide and alert, and set into the skull at a pronounced slant when viewed in profile. The eyeball has a shallow curve and doesn’t bulge beyond the cheekbone or the forehead. The Japanese Bobtail’s tail is not the only characteristic feature of this breed, but it is the defining one. Like lotus blossoms, each tail is unique—the length, shape and flexibility vary greatly from cat to cat. Therefore, the standard is more of a guideline rather than a strict description of the tail, and the standard doesn’t promote one type of tail over another, since so many types exist. The extension of the tail bone should be no longer than three inches from the body. The tail is composed of one or more curves, angles, or kinks, or any combination of these.

The tail may be flexible or rigid and the size and shape should harmonize with the cat’s appearance. The direction in which the tail is carried is not important. However, the tail must be clearly visible; the Japanese Bobtail is not a tailless cat. While a short, curly tail can be considered a malformation, since it differs from the standard feline design, fanciers love the breed for just this trait, particularly because health is not affected. Because the tail length is governed by a recessive gene, a cat must inherit two copies of the gene—one from each parent—to have the characteristic tail. So when two Japanese Bobtails are bred together, all of the offspring have short tails because the dominant long-tail gene is absent. The Japanese Bobtail’s tail is always naturally short. The Japanese Bobtail comes in both long and short hair lengths. The soft and silky fur of the longhair is medium-long to long with no noticeable undercoat. A ruff is desirable. Over the shoulders, the coat may be shorter and close-lying; the coat should lie in a way that accents the body’s lines. The fur becomes longer toward the rump and noticeably longer on the tail and britches.

The tail is fluffy, and ear and toe tufts are desirable. The tail hair can puff out, making the tail look like a miniature pom-pom. The shorthair’s soft, silky fur is medium in length with no noticeable undercoat and no ruff. In CFA, the Japanese Bobtail comes in any color, pattern, or combination, except those showing evidence of hybridization resulting in un-patterned agouti (Abyssinian or ticked tabby), or that color or pattern with white. In TICA, however, all colors and patterns are accepted. The mi-ke coat pattern is the most popular and numerous. Preference is given to bold, dramatic markings and rich, vivid colors. Nose leather, paw pads, and eye color should harmonize with the coat color. Blue eyes and odd eyes are allowed. No outcrosses are permitted. History: The origin of the Japanese Bobtail has been lost in the passage of time; when and where the mutation responsible for the short tail first arose we will likely never know. However, it’s safe to say the Japanese Bobtail is one of the oldest existing cat breeds and has a history as rich with legends and folklore as the country for which the breed is named.

It’s thought that the ancestors of today’s Japanese Bobtail arrived in Japan from Korea or China at the beginning of the sixth century. Cats were kept aboard ships transporting grain, documents, silk and other valuable goods that could be easily damaged by rodents. Whether these seafaring cats had bobbed tails is anyone’s guess, since it was their skill as mousers, not their cute pom-poms, that was prized. Today, bobtailed cats can be found in most parts of East Asia, indicating the mutation occurred long ago. Bobtailed cats can be found in many Japanese woodcut prints and silkscreen paintings from early in the Edo period (1603–1867), although they graced their native land long before that. These cats were prized for their cleanliness, grace, and beauty. The Japanese considered them to be spiritual creatures capable of bestowing good luck. Bobtailed cats born with a particular pattern of red, black, and white markings were called “mi-ke” (pronounced mee-kay, meaning "three fur" in Japanese), and were considered particularly lucky. Such cats were treasured and, according to stories, often lived in Buddhist temples and in the imperial palace.

The most famous story about the mi-ke is the legend of Maneki Neko, which means "beckoning cat" in Japanese. As the tale goes, a tricolored Japanese Bobtail named Tama lived at the poor Kotoku temple in Setagaya, Tokyo. The monk often shared his meager food with his beloved cat to make sure she got enough to eat. One day, Lord Ii Natotaka was caught in a rain storm near the temple. While he sought shelter under a nearby tree, he noticed Tama beckoning to him from the temple gate. A moment after he left the tree in response to the cat’s welcoming gesture, the tree was struck by lightning. Since Tama had saved his life, Lord Ii Natotaka took the temple as his family’s own, bringing it great prosperity. The lord renamed the temple Gotokuji and built a large new temple building. Tama, revered for bringing such good fortune, lived out her life in comfort and was buried with honors in the temple cemetery. Other legends about Maneki Neko abound, but all associate the cat with good luck and prosperity.

In Japan today, figurines of Maneki Neko can be found in many shops and restaurants as charms to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness. These small statues clearly show the tricolored pattern, the bobbed tail, and the raised, beckoning paw. Many of these statuettes can be found in the hall of the deity of mercy at Gotokuji Temple. (To Americans and some Europeans, it appears Maneki Neko is waving rather than beckoning. Japanese people beckon by holding up the hand, palm out, and folding the fingers up and down.) Japanese Bobtails might have been treasured pets and temple cats forever if not for the Japanese silk industry. Some four centuries ago, Japanese authorities ordered all cats set free to protect silkworms and their cocoons from growing rodent populations. For a time, owning, buying, or selling cats was illegal. Afterward, the Japanese Bobtail became a street and farm cat instead of a pampered temple and house cat. Years of natural selection and survival on the streets and farms of Japan turned the Japanese Bobtail into a strong, intelligent, adaptable cat. Until recently in Japan, the Japanese Bobtail was considered a common working cat.

The Japanese Bobtail came to North America in 1967, when Elizabeth Freret saw a Japanese Bobtail at a Maryland pet show. Entranced by the cat’s beauty and personality, she started the year-long process of importing Japanese Bobtails into the United States so she could begin a breeding program. A year later, three Japanese Bobtails arrived courtesy of Judy Crawford, an American living in Japan at the time. When Crawford returned home, she brought more Japanese Bobtails with her, and she and Freret teamed up to breed and promote the JBT. Around the same time, CFA judge Lynn Beck imported eight Japanese Bobtails through a connection in Tokyo. Freret and Beck wrote the first American breed standard and worked to get the breed recognized by CFA. Other fanciers joined the cause, and in 1969 CFA accepted Japanese Bobtails for registration and in 1976 granted the breed championship status. ACFA and TICA granted championship in 1979. More cats were imported to widen the gene pool and keep the breed healthy, and more breeders signed on to advance the breed. Today all associations accept the breed.

Although the longhaired Japanese Bobtail wasn’t officially accepted for championship by any North American cat association until 1991, longhaired Japanese Bobtails have been around for centuries. Two longhaired Bobtails with feathery pom-pom tails appear in a fifteenth century painting, currently housed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Longhaired mi-ke Bobtails appear in seventeenth-century Japanese artwork alongside depictions of their shorthaired relatives. Although they were not as common as their shorthaired countrymates, longhaired cats have been seen in Japan’s street cat populations for many centuries, particularly in Japan’s northern islands where a long coat is valuable protection against the colder weather. Until the late 1980s, North American Japanese Bobtail breeders sold as pets the longhaired kittens that occasionally occurred in their shorthaired litters, and made no effort to promote them. In 1988, however, breeder Gena Garton started the Japanese Bobtail Longhair on the road to acceptance by exhibiting a longhair kitten born in one of her otherwise shorthair litters. Other breeders soon followed and together they began seeking recognition for the Japanese Bobtail Longhair.

In 1991 TICA recognized the longhair for championship. CFA followed two years later. Today, all the North American cat associations recognize the Japanese Bobtail Longhair except CFF. Date of Origin: Unknown Accepted by: All North American cat associations (championship) Notes: Mi-ke Bobtails are almost always female because for male cats to possess the genes necessary to display both black and red coloration, they must have two X chromosomes (XXY instead of XY), and that is very rare. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), which is why calico and tortoiseshell are common patterns in female cats. The male counterparts of mi-ke Bobtails are either black and white or red and white.Since the gene for long hair is recessive, it can be carried for generations by shorthaired cats without anyone being the wiser until two cats who each possess one copy of the longhair gene are mated. On average, 25 percent of the kittens from such matings will have long hair, since a cat must inherit two copies of the longhair gene, one from each parent, to have long hair.

AACE, ACA, ACFA, CCA, CCF, and UFO consider the Japanese Bobtail Shorthair and the Japanese Bobtail Longhair separate breeds, but allow crossbreeding between the two hair lengths to avoid the problem of split litters in which longhairs are not recognized when born to a shorthair queen. In CFA, however, the two hair lengths are divisions of the Japanese Bobtail breed; one breed standard covers both. Similarly, TICA recognizes both hair lengths as part of the Japanese Bobtail Breed Group, which shares a single breed standard. Probably because of their years as street cats earning their livings catching rodents, Japanese Bobtails are usually strong, healthy cats with high resistance to disease. Litters generally consist of three to four large and vigorous kittens with a low mortality rate. Compared to most other breeds, they begin to walk earlier and are active sooner. Unlike the Manx gene, which is virtually impossible to control, the gene responsible for the Japanese Bobtail's short tail is not associated with defects of the spine or any other known health problems. However, the Bobtail’s tail is very sensitive and should not be manipulated or handled roughly.

Don’t attempt to straighten the tail as this can damage it and cause the cat great pain. Did You Know? The Japanese Bobtail is not related to the Manx or American Bobtail. The Manx’s taillessness and the American Bobtail’s short tail are both governed by dominant genes, while the Japanese Bobtail’s abbreviated tail is governed by a recessive gene. Unlike the Manx, the Japanese Bobtail is never completely tailless, nor is the tail ever long enough to be docked. Behavior Behavior and Personality: These living works of art are not just for admiring, say fanciers. They also have personalities that make their people purr. Fierce and single-minded as samurai warriors when on the hunt for a rodent or whirling feathery toy, Japanese Bobtails nevertheless adore their human families and spend many of their waking hours by the sides of their favorite people, chirping intelligent queries and sticking curious noses into everything. They are always more than willing to lend a helping paw when you’re busy with household chores. Japanese Bobtails are ever-present companions who stop just short of being clingy. They bond with their favorite humans and are loving, loyal, and devoted.

If you don’t want an active cat, this is not the breed for you. They are sometimes compared to the Abyssinian in activity level, and that means very active. Highly intelligent and playful, Japanese Bobtails are vastly entertaining when you bring out their favorite toys. You’ll need no better excuse for neglecting your chores than watching the antics of your Bobtail at play. Be sure to get interactive toys—Japanese Bobtails want you to join the fun. Several tall cat trees are recommended, because Japanese Bobtails love to climb and perch. Japanese Bobtails are talkative and produce a wide range of tones. Their pleasant, chirping voices are often described as singing. No inscrutability and reserve here—their large, expressive ears and eyes, combined with flicks of their pom-pom tails and melodious chirps, get their feelings across perfectly. Because they are headstrong and opinionated when the mood takes them, they are not particularly easy to train unless it’s something they already want to do, such as play fetch. Some will learn to walk on a leash, as long as they’re leading. Their intelligence can get them into mischief, since they are adept at opening cupboards and the doors to off-limits rooms.

They tend to be more social than the average cat, and in multicat households they gather in groups, preferably with other Bobtails, and plan adorable mischief together. American Bobtail Cat | Cat Breeds | Petfinder American Bobtail Cat See more adoptable American Bobtail cats available on Petfinder American Bobtail Cat Personality While the breed is still developing, breeders say that Bobtails are playful, energetic, and friendly, and possess an uncanny intelligence for Houdini-type escapes from closed rooms and fastened cages. Very people-oriented, they are not above demanding human attention by meowing or commandeering available laps. On the cat activity scale (with, perhaps, the Persian as a serene '1' and the Abyssinian as an animated '10'), the Bobtail rates a 7 or 8 ' fun-loving and frisky but not overactive. American Bobtail Cat Breed Traits Bobtails are slow to develop, reaching maturity somewhere between two and three years. Like bobcats, the Bobtail's hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs, and the feet are large and round and may have toe tufts.

The Bobtail's most noted feature, its succinct tail, is one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat's, and should not extend below the hock. Like the Manx, the Bobtail's tail appears to be governed by a dominant gene. The tail is straight and articulate but may curve, have bumps or be slightly knotted. Bobtails with no tails (also called rumpies) are not acceptable because of the health problems associated with the shortened spine. Interested in the history of the American Bobtail cat breed? Until recently the American Bobtail has received little attention, so most people are surprised to learn that he has been catting around America for as long as the better-known Japanese Bobtail (see page 136), first imported to the United States in the late 1960s. The American Bobtail appeared on the scene in the 1960s as well, but because of the haphazard debut of the Bobtail, the word is just now beginning to spread about this breed. The cat's history is uncertain. The original Bobtail bloodline came from a mating between a short-tailed brown tabby male named Yodie and a seal point Siamese female.

Yodie was obtained by John and Brenda Sanders of Iowa while they were vacationing near an Indian reservation in Arizona. The parentage of Yodie is unknown, but was thought to have been a bobcat/domestic cat hybrid because of his stubby tail. Birman, Himalayan, and a Hima-layan/Siamese cross were then added to the bloodline. Mindy Schultz (now Mindy Cave), a friend of the Sanders and the earliest Bobtail breeder, wrote the first provisional standard in the early 1970s. However, at that time the breed experienced setbacks due to the usual obstacles developing and promoting a new breed of cat is an endeavor that requires the patience of Job, the wealth of Midas, the wisdom of Solomon, and the tenacity of the Terminator. What happened in those early years seems immaterial at this point. Most of the early bloodlines have been phased out. In the mid-1980s a group of Bobtail breeders decided to break away from the original blueprint of the cat, which was essentially a short-tailed pointed long hair with white mittens and a white face blaze.

Breeders were having difficulty working with the complicated combination of genes required for the bobbed tail, Himalayan color pattern, and the white spotting factor. The original line became too inbred to be usable. The new and improved American Bobtail comes in all colors, categories, and divisions. The trend among today's breeders is toward a sweet, domestic cat that has the natural, wild look of the bobcat. The new Bobtail lines were reputed to have begun in Florida with trysts between domestic cats and bobcats, the kittens of which fell into the hands of breeders working with the Bobtail. However, these matings cannot be documented since they appear to be on the order of: 'Well, our cat got out, and there were these bobcats running around all over the place, and then the kittens were born with those stubby little tails. . . .' While it is possible for the bobcat (Felis rufus, an indigenous North American spotted cat closely related to the larger lynx) to mate with domestic cats, bobcat/domestic cat hybrids, particularly the males, would most likely be sterile.

Possibly the short, bobcat-like tail occurred as a spontaneous mutation within the domestic cat population, or is related to the dominant Manx gene. Outcrossing the Bobtail to domestic stock is still allowable. The goal is to keep the gene pool healthy since it is still quite small. Neither Manx nor Japanese Bobtails are used in the matrix, nor are bobcats bred into the existing lines. Originally recognized only as a longhair, a shorthair standard has now been written and accepted. Copyright © 1998 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. based on ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAT BREEDS by J. Anne Helgren. Shelters with American Bobtail Cats Shelters that currently have American Bobtail cats ready for adoption: Breed Profile: The Japanese Bobtail Exhibitors About the Japanese Bobtail Full of energy, always playful, loving, endearing, and happy best describe the Japanese Bobtail’s personality. They are very people-oriented and want to be the center of family life. The will watch TV with you, help you read the newspaper or a book, and they love to help you send emails on the computer! When your front doorbell rings, they will go with you to greet your guests.

If you want a cat that will interact with you and your family, then the Japanese Bobtail is the breed for you! They like to carry things in their mouths, and most enjoy a good game of fetch or soccer. Masters of the pounce, these cats love to play tag with their cat friends. They are excellent travelers and enjoy cat shows and hotel rooms. They adjust to dogs and other animals and are especially good with children. They are naturals at Feline Agility. They love to jump hurdles and leap through hoops and are speedy and proficient at this sport. They have been known to run the course in less than 10 seconds! The tail is unique not only to the breed, but to each individual cat. Like out finger prints, no two tails are ever alike. The tail must be clearly visible and is composed of one or more curves, angles, or kinks, or any combination. The furthest extension of the tailbone from the body should be no longer than three inches. The direction in which the tail is carried is not important. The tail may be flexible or rigid and should be of a size or shape to harmonize with the rest of the cat.

The genetic factor which created the Japanese Bobtail is due to dominant genes and breeds true. The other unique feature that distinguishes this breed from other breeds is that the back legs are slightly longer than the front legs, giving the back legs a very muscular appearance. The head of the Japanese Bobtail is triangular, and their ears are upright and at right angles to the head. Their eyes appear oval rather than round, giving an oriental cast to the face. They are a medium-sized cat, with males being slightly larger than the females. Japanese Bobtails come in many colors: solid colors, mi-ke (calico), vans, and bi-colors. They can have a tabby pattern which is either spotted, mackerel, or classic. They also come in two different coat lengths – longhair and shorthair - and are known for their soft and silky coats. The United States has more van colored and bi-colored cats registered than solid colored cats. Probably one of the most recognizable colors is the mi-ke (calico). The Japanese Bobtail is one of the oldest naturally occurring breeds of cat and is native to the islands of Japan.

From written records it seems certain that the domestic cat first arrived in Japan from China or Korea at least one thousand years ago. It is believed that the original domestic cats came with the Buddhist monks in 600-700 A.D. and were brought to keep the rats out of the rice paper scrolls in the temples. In the 1600s, the silk trade found itself in jeopardy due to rats, and the Japanese Bobtail was pressed into service and thus became the street cat that it is today in Japan. All CFA registered cats can be traced back to the original and current imported cats. The Japanese Bobtail has certainly existed in Japan for many centuries; it is featured in many ancient prints and paintings. Elizabeth Freret imported the first Japanese Bobtails to the United States in 1968. The Shorthair Japanese Bobtail was accepted for championship status in 1976, followed by the Longhair Japanese Bobtail in 1993. Japanese Bobtails are very strong and healthy cats. They usually have litters of three to four kittens that are large for newborns. Compared to other breeds, the kittens are active earlier, walk earlier, and start getting into trouble earlier!

This breed has a low kitten mortality rate and a high disease resistance rate. Kittens are never born tailless, nor are they born with full tails. They are active, intelligent, talkative cats. Their soft voices are capable of nearly a whole scale of tones; some people say they sing. Since they adore their human’s companionship, they almost always speak when spoken to. Choosing a new kitten is an important decision for the entire family. It will be a commitment for the life of the cat. Usually breeders make kittens available between the ages of 3 and 4 months. Japanese Bobtail babies are continually learning life experiences from their parents and their people, which helps to produce well-balanced, loving kittens. After 12 weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and have developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering/ spaying, and providing acceptable toys and scratching posts all help to keep your new kitten happy and healthy. The care and grooming of the Japanese Bobtail is very easy. Since the cat has no undercoat, combing once a week will remove any dead hairs; because of this feature, neither long nor short coat lengths will mat.

The Japanese Bobtail is a delightful animal and will bring much pleasure and happiness to your home and family. For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed. Japanese Bobtail Links American Bobtail vs. Japanese Bobtail Cat - Pets Pets American Bobtail vs. Japanese Bobtail Cat by Leslie Darling Kittens are cute enough with tails, but there’s something about a little powder-puff bob on the rump that ramps up the cute factor even more. The genetic mutation of bobbed tails is seen throughout the globe, and the American bobtail and Japanese bobtail cats, from very different native lands, have some things in common. Tails Just like fingerprints, no two tails of either breed are alike and both can have curves, angles or kinks. The American bobtail has a stubby tail that is longer than his Japanese counterpart, averaging 1 to 4 inches. The Japanese bobbed tail resembles a tufted pompom and is no longer than 3 inches, and usually shorter. The American’s is flexible, while that of the Japanese can be flexible or rigid.

Other Physical Differences Considered a medium to large breed, American bobtail males can reach 15 pounds or more, while the Japanese version tends to stay under 10 pounds. While both are muscular and proficient high-jumpers, the Japanese is longer than the American, with an elegant, slender body, while the American is a more solid cat as befits his background as a natural hunting breed. Their coats also differ in texture – the American bobtail has an all-weather, double coat, which appears a bit shaggy in the long-haired version. The Japanese is prized for its smooth and silky single coat, which rarely tangles. Personality The charming, wildcat look-alike American bobtail has been dubbed the golden retriever of cats because of his dog-like devotion to the entire family, including other cats and dogs. He communicates with you with chirps and trills more than meows, and he is said to wag his tail like a dog when happy. He doesn’t even mind being carried around on your shoulder. He isn’t difficult to leash train and will play fetch for hours on end. The Japanese bobtail is a busier cat.

This world-class pouncer is active and loves to splash in water, which is why you might find his favorite toy in the water bowl. Also good family pets, they have a large vocabulary and don’t mind using it. These explorers at heart will find a way into every nook and cranny, and you might find them gazing down at you from atop the cupboards. The Tale of the Tail The American bobtail gene is dominant genetically, meaning that only one parent has to carry the gene for it to be possible to produce a bobtailed kitten. In the Japanese bobtail, the gene is recessive, so both parents must have it for the kittens to be bobtailed. A Japanese bobtail kitten will never be completely tailless, nor will it ever have a full-length tail. Due to the randomness of the gene in an American bobtail, kittens can be born with a rumpy (no tail), a stumpy (about an inch long), or longer, and all lengths are acceptable in the breed standard, as long as it isn’t longer than the hock.

1000+ images about Cat Breeds on Pinterest | American bobtail, Tonkinese and Egyptian mau Forward Cyprus Cat - For people that are looking for a medium sized, medium coated cat breed, this is the cat for them. The Cyprus Cat is a popular cat breed originally from Cyprus.Some people may refer to this cat breed as a Cypriot Cat because some cats are known by different names.The Cyprus Cats are said to have quite the personality. Their owners have said that they are often loving and sociable.Their personality and demeanor is wh See More Japanese Bobtail Cat | Cat Breeds | Petfinder Japanese Bobtail Cat See more adoptable Japanese Bobtail cats available on Petfinder Watch Video About Japanese Bobtail Cats Cats 101: Japanese Bobtail Japanese Bobtail Cat Personality Bobs make outstanding companions. They're curious, bold, intelligent, and alert, and easily adjust to new people, situations, and animals, making them easy cats to show. Bobtails are active, but not annoyingly so. Their play is interactive and endearing. They want to be involved with their human companions and are more than willing to lend a paw when you need it (and even when you don't).

Bobtails also enjoy a good conversation; they have chirping voices that produce a wide range of tones, some breeders describe this as 'singing.' Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed Traits The gene responsible for the pom-pom tail is a simple recessive; Bobtail to Bobtail crosses produce 100 percent Bobtail offspring. The Bobtail gene is not related to the Manx gene and doesn't appear to be associated with any genetic defects. The tail's fur camouflages the underlying bone structure, which varies greatly from cat to cat. The tail is usually about 4 inches (10 cm) long, but curls into a corkscrew shape so it appears much shorter. Interested in the history of the Japanese Bobtail cat breed? Exactly when and where the Japanese Bobtail developed is not known. It's clear, however, that the breed has been bobbing around the Far East for at least several centuries, and perhaps much longer, since early Japanese folklore contains numerous references to short-tailed cats. One well-known tale tells of a small, short-tailed female cat named Maneki-Neko that was said to have beckoned to passersby and that was associated with good fortune.

A representation of Maneki-Neko, with one paw raised in welcome, appears on the facade of the Gotokuji Temple near Tokyo. While historical records do not explain the origin of the Japanese Bobtail, Japanese folklore does. A well-known legend tells of a sleeping cat whose tail caught on fire from a spark from the nearby hearth. The frightened cat ran through the streets of the Imperial City, lighting all the houses on fire. By morning, the city was destroyed and the Emperor, angry at the destruction of the city, decreed that all cats must have their tails cut short to prevent another such disaster from occurring. Domestic cats were introduced into Japan from China and Korea in the early sixth century, but whether these cats had bobbed tails is unclear. The bobbed tail was definitely common by the early seventeenth century, since tricolored cats with pom-pom tails have been portrayed in numerous Japanese woodcut prints and painted silkscreen paintings of that period. Tricolored cats, mostly white with patches of red and black, are called Mi-Ke (pronounced mee-kay). Bobtails of this pattern are considered good luck.

The Japanese revered these cats for their grace and beauty, and the cats were prized and kept in the temples and homes of the Imperial Japanese families for many years. At some point between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, when the Japanese silk industry grew in importance and when mice threatened to destroy the silkworms and their cocoons from which the precious silk was harvested, the government decided that cats should be set free to protect the silk industry and the grain stores. The Japanese Bobtail then became a street cat instead of a pampered household pet. In the United States, you are likely to see Bobtails only in cat shows and in the homes of breeders and fanciers, but in Japan today this breed can be seen in the streets and alleys, as well as in the average cat-loving home. Until recently in its native land, the Japanese Bobtail was considered a common domestic rather than a purebred, just as our own American Shorthair was considered a domestic for many years.

It was only in the 1960s when the United States began including the breed in its cat shows that Japan followed suit; however, the Bobtail is still thought to represent good luck, and figurines of Maneki-Neko can be purchased in many Japanese stores. The first documented Japanese Bobtails were imported into the United States from Japan in 1908. American servicemen brought home Bobtails from Japan, but it wasn't until breeder Elizabeth Freret imported three Japanese Bobtails into the United States from Japan in 1968 that a formal American breeding and exhibiting program began. Freret acquired the three Bobtails from a breeder who had been breeding Bobtails in Japan since shortly after WWII. Freret, along with others interested in the breed, worked to establish a standard and presented the breed to the CFA board. In 1969 the CFA accepted Japanese Bobtails for registration. In 1971 Bobs were granted provisional status, and in 1976 gained Championship status in the CFA. Today, all the major cat associations accept the Japanese Bobtail for Championship.

Recently, a long haired version of the breed has been accepted and is recognized by CFA, TICA, ACA, AACE, UFO, CCA, and ACFA. The numbers of registrations in this newly accepted division are currently small. Evidence suggests that long haired Bobtails have been around for as long as the short haired version. While long haired cats were not as com they appear in early Japanese artwork as well. In the cold provinces of Japan?s northernmost islands, where a long coat would be a vital survival trait, long haired cats have been observed in the street cat populations for years. Since the Bobtail was a common street cat for so long, it is likely that somewhere along the bloodline they acquired the recessive gene for long hair. Since two copies of a recessive gene are required for the trait to be expressed, the longhair gene can be passed through many generations before manifesting. Even when both parents possess the gene, the ratio of shorthaired over longhaired offspring is approximately 3 to 1. Copyright © 1998 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. based on ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAT BREEDS by J. Anne Helgren.

Shelters with Japanese Bobtail Cats Shelters that currently have Japanese Bobtail cats ready for adoption: Breed Profile: The American Bobtail Exhibitors About the American Bobtail American Bobtails are loving and incredibly intelligent cats possessing a distinctive wild appearance. They are extremely interactive cats that bond with their human family with great devotion. They can both entertain through their antics at one moment and provide their owners a warm, soft shoulder to cry on in times of distress. American Bobtails are known for their love of games and can play fetch or hide and seek for hours on end. They will often initiate games with their owners, and they demonstrate their hunting instincts in the home by catching in mid-air flying insects that make the fatal mistake of entering their territory. They also love to stalk their toys and carry them in their mouths, as if they were a freshly caught rodent. Basically a quiet cat, the American Bobtail is known to trill, chirp, and click when delighted. They are easily leash trained and love to go for walks with their people. An easy going breed, they get along well with most dogs and welcome newcomers, whether they are two-legged or four-legged. The American Bobtail was developed by natural selection to survive feral environments.

They are medium to large cats with substantial rectangular bodies. The tail is short, expressive, and flexible and may be straight, slightly curved, slightly kinked, or have bumps along its length. No one length is preferred, and no two tails are the same. The natural bobtail is clearly visible above the back when the cat is alert, and it should not extend beyond the hind hock. The combination of this distinctive tail with other physical characteristics results in a cat with a marked resemblance to the bobtailed wildcat. The head is a broad modified wedge with an observable whisker break above a well defined, broad, medium-length muzzle. Whisker pads are fleshy, and the chin is strong. The eye shape combined with the brow gives the breed its natural hunting gaze and expression of intelligence and alertness. The American Bobtail is a moderately long and substantial cat with a rectangular stance; the chest is full and broad with slightly higher hips and prominent shoulder blades. With legs of substantial boning, they possess a muscular and athletic appearance and are a deceptively heavy cat. This is a slow maturing breed, taking two to three years to reach its adult size. Females are generally proportionately smaller than males.

The American Bobtail comes in all colors and patterns, with preference given to colors and patterns that enhance the natural wild appearance of the breed. They come in two coat lengths: a dense shorthair coat and a medium longhair coat. The occasional bath and light brushing is all that is needed to keep the American Bobtail coat in tiptop form. The American Bobtail developed initially through natural selection. The foundation stock for this breed were feral domestic cats possessing a natural bobtail. Experienced breeders, using found domestic bobtails from all over the United States, worked together to produce the gorgeous American Bobtails we have today. One of the more intriguing phenomena of the breed is the striking resemblance of cats with no known common heritage, from thousands of miles apart, have born to one another. By selectively breeding the like type cats, breeders have helped Mother Nature to develop the American Bobtail into the big, hearty, wild-looking bobtail cat seen today. No recognized breed of pedigreed cat has been used in the development of the American Bobtail. American Bobtails are a very strong and healthy breed, experiencing no known genetic predisposition to health problems.

When choosing your American Bobtail kitten, you should look for a reputable breeder, who will undoubtedly have a series of questions for you designed to make sure that you and the American Bobtail are compatible. Do not be surprised if there is a wait of some sort. These wonderful family members are worth it! Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age, when they have had sufficient time with their mother and littermates to be well socialized and old enough to have been fully vaccinated. Keeping your American Bobtail indoors, neutering or spaying, and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long, and joyful life. For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed. American Bobtail Links

Question: What animal has breeds named American Bobtail, Balinese and Japanese Bobtail?
Answer: CAT